In June 1945, A 5-year-old boy was leaving his ancestral Home because of India's Partition. But After 20 years, the same boy returned to that place in the uniform of the Indian Army and took back that site with Indian Flag. That is the story of that fellow.
Did you ever lesson Noor Jhahan's song "Ae watan ke sajeele jawano"?
She sings that to boost the morale of Pakistani soldiers in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. But Unfortunately, the soldiers of the Indian Army were the only Sajeele jawan of that warfare. They capture the noteworthy land of Pakistan and clear their way to Lahore. One of the Sajeela jawan was Brig. Kawaljeet Singh.
Have you ever felt curious or proud to see that image on the Internet?
The book Titled Battle of Barki will abolish all your curiosity about that war scene. I'm going to review that with these pointers.
Initial Impressions of the Book
252 Page Book is Divided into 21 Chapters but needs to stand exactly with their name. At first impressions, I thought that that book was about the Battle of Barki, but it is more than that. That is a biography of Brig. Kanwaljeet Singh. He was leading the same brigade that captured this Police station. The writing style is undoubtedly outstanding; authors can make a movie in that book. The beginning and end are like Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Grand Budget movie. Sometimes I used to think while reading it,
Why are Kiran & Nirvan the most fitting choice for writing that Book?
That is the pseudonym used by authors Kirandeep Singh and Nirvan Singh. They played a very significant role in bringing the stories of the Indian Armed forces to a regular audience.
Some Defense personnel advised these authors to write this book after seeing their marvelous work in Book 21 Kesaris.
To write about a soldier with the suggestion of others! Nothing is left to prove them the best authors of Indian Military History Books.
Analysis of the Battle of Barki
Five years ago, I mostly read and wrote part of Indian History related to the Indian Freedom Struggle. But In 2019, I feel there is also a significant part of Indian History that equally boosted every Indian's morale, including the Battle of Saragarhi in 1897.
21 Soldiers of the 36 Sikh Regiment were fighting that battle, all martyred. But they leave the legacy of the Valor of the Indian Army, especially the 36 Sikh Regiment. That was a proud movement of any soldier to commission in the 36 Sikh regiment. But that letter changed with the 4 Sikh division, and that same one was leading in the Battle of Barki.
The story of this book starts with the Battle in Khemkaaran. Pakistani solder successfully captured Indian soldiers, including Brig. Kawaljeet Singh and his CO Ananat Singh and bring them to Kohat Fort spent several months in Enemy captivity. Despite the challenging situation, none of the Indian soldiers break his Courage.
But I was shocked when I learned that the same Indian soldiers became POWs after the successful capture of Barki. But How? Indian soldiers who captured Barki later capture by Pakistani that thing was quite shocking for me. But the author gives that answer in the last chapter.
The middle portion briefly sheds light on Brig—Kawaljeet Singh's Life. Incidents related to his evacuation from Pakistan in 1945, his father's selfless service to the medical department of the British government, and his teaching motivate Kanwaljeet for selfless service to Nation.
Three Lessons from that Book
Once a soldure always a soldure
That was the incident when Brig. Kanwaljeet in Captivity of Pakistani Soldures in Kohat fort. Zulfikar Ali Bukhari said to him,
"I was the first director general of Pakistan Radio from Lahore, but before that, I was the station director of All India Radio as well, back in 1939. Technically we both have an India Connection."
The reply of Kanwaljeet blew Bukhari's mind.
"I am Kanwaljeet Singh. I am an Indian Army soldier fighting in Lahore only a few weeks ago. See, We have a Pakistani Connection as well."
Don't look at Army as a job provider.
Late Indian Army General Bipin Rawat's statement contains a profound message. Still, Kanwaljeet's Father's statement was more than that which defines the definition of a true soldier.
When Kanwaljeet applied to join Indian Army, his father said,
"But let me clarify one thing, puttar. Sometimes, being a soldier sacrifices a lot more than you can imagine. Recognition is one part of it. A soldier must never yearn for recognition."
Even the Courage of the Indian Army contains kindness.
In the POW Camp, young Pakistani officer Mujib leaves no stone unturned to harm and heart Indian Army soldiers. But he was helpless by the Geneva convention, so he made his satisfaction with abuses and gossiped against them. But one day, he learned Dairy of Brig. Kanwaljeet Singh, in which Kanwaljeet wrote the full detail of his everyday event. And it was
When Indian soldiers successfully captured Barki Police station, Kanwaljeet saw a Pakistani soldier who was seriously wounded. He arranged bandages for him to heal his wounds, but unfortunately, that Pakistani soldier died. But Brig. Kanwaljeet instructs his battalion to bury all the dead bodies of enemy soldiers with honor.
After reading about that incident, Mubjib found himself guilty of his behavior toward Indian soldiers because that particular soldier he mentioned was Mujiib's Brother.
The audience I would recommend this book to
That Book is a biography or story of Courage and a guidebook for youngsters wanting to join the Indian Army. That book explains what a soldier is. Every defense aspirant must read that book.
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